What to bring
- The California title (pink slip), signed by the seller on line 1 and by any lienholder shown on it
- Odometer reading entered on the title if the vehicle is under 10 years old (a REG 262 if the title has no odometer line)
- A smog certificate from the seller, unless the vehicle is under four model years old
- A bill of sale if the person who sold it to you isn't the owner named on the title
- Your driver's license, proof of insurance, and payment for the $15 transfer fee, use tax and our $85 service fee
What it costs
- Title transfer
- $85
All service fees are in addition to the DMV’s own fees, which are the same everywhere and are passed through at cost.
Posted prices are cash prices. Paying by credit card adds a 3.79% convenience fee on the total.
All sales are final. There are no refunds on service fees once processing has begun; DMV and state fees, penalties and third-party charges are non-refundable.
How long do I have to transfer a title in California?
Ten days. The DMV's own wording is that buyers have 10 days after purchasing the vehicle to transfer ownership from the seller to themselves, and sellers have 5 days after the sale to report the transfer of ownership to the DMV. Miss the buyer's window and transfer penalties and registration penalties start accruing on top of the normal fees, so the cheapest transfer is the one you do this week.
What does a title transfer cost?
The DMV transfer fee is $15. On a private-party purchase you'll also owe California use tax on the price you paid, calculated at the rate for the city or county where you live, plus any registration fees that are due or coming due on the vehicle. Our service fee for a title transfer is $85, cash price. Transfers between certain close family members can be exempt from use tax and from the smog requirement; tell us who you got the vehicle from and we'll tell you whether yours qualifies.
Does the seller have to give me a smog certificate?
In most cases, yes. The DMV requires the seller to provide a valid smog certification when selling a car, and the certificate is good for 90 days. If the vehicle is less than four model years old, no inspection is needed and a smog transfer fee is paid instead. If you've already bought the car and there's no smog on file, we'll tell you exactly what's missing before you pay for anything.
What if the seller never gave me the title?
Stop and call us before you do anything else. Without the signed title, the DMV can't transfer ownership. Depending on the situation the fix is a replacement title application (REG 227) signed by the seller, a lien release from the seller's finance company, or paperwork from the state where the car was last titled. We'll tell you which, and what to ask the seller for, in one phone call.
I sold my car. What do I file?
The Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability, within 5 days of the sale. It tells the DMV you no longer own the vehicle, so parking tickets, tolls and accidents after the sale date aren't yours. We file it electronically while you wait; bring the buyer's name and address, the sale date, the odometer reading and the plate number.
Title transfer: common questions
Can you transfer a car title in Bakersfield without going to the DMV?
Yes. Ramos Auto Registration Services is a licensed DMV business partner at 332 E Norris Rd, Bakersfield. We process registered-owner and legal-owner transfers in the DMV system, collect the $15 transfer fee and any use tax, and issue the new registration the same day. The same transfer is available from the DMV without our service fee.
What documents do I need to transfer a title in California?
The title signed by the seller and any lienholder, the odometer reading if the vehicle is under 10 years old, a smog certificate unless the vehicle is under four model years old, a bill of sale if the seller isn't the titled owner, your ID and insurance, and payment for the transfer fee, use tax and service fee.
How much is use tax on a private-party car purchase?
Use tax is charged on the purchase price at the sales tax rate for the city or county where the vehicle will be kept. It is collected when the title is transferred. Some transfers between close family members and true gifts are exempt; we'll confirm whether yours qualifies before processing.
Can I transfer a title for a family member who isn't here?
Often, yes. The title must be signed by the person releasing ownership, and some situations need a notarized form or a power of attorney. We're a notary public as well, so if the family member can come in we can handle the signature and the transfer in one visit.